Originally published by: Mark Niquette and the Columbus Dispatch
April 5, 2007
Gov. Ted Strickland donated the remaining money from his inaugural committee to charity yesterday, writing a $300,000 check to the Ohio Association of Second Harvest Foodbanks.
“I wish it was more, but I’m happy it is as much as it is,” Strickland said after presenting the check at the Mid-Ohio FoodBank in Columbus.
The donation came from the nearly $2 million Strickland raised and was part of the $1.9 million he spent on various activities surrounding his inauguration in January, records released yesterday show.
Strickland accepted more than 2,800 contributions for his inaugural committee from individuals, corporations and other entities from at least 32 states, with 27 corporations or individuals giving the committee-imposed maximum of $25,000.
They included education groups; two entities affiliated with American Electric Power and other energy companies; financial and insurance firms; and manufacturers such as Ford and General Motors.
Other donations included one of $20,000, 20 of $15,000 and 48 between $10,000 and $12,500, records show.
The largest expenditure was $358,035 to Cameron Mitchell Catering Co., which provided “jazzed up fair food” such as lobster corn dogs at Strickland’s inaugural gala at the state fairgrounds. Strickland has since cracked down on state food expenditures using taxpayers’ money.
About $63,000 is being kept in the committee account through the rest of the year to cover any unexpected expenses, and whatever is left will be given to Second Harvest, inaugural president David J. Leland said.
Strickland also encouraged those who attended the inaugural festivities to donate a bag of nonperishable food or make a monetary donation to food banks.
Matt Habash, executive director of the Mid-Ohio FoodBank, said the $300,000 check presented yesterday is one of the largest ever given to the association and will be used to address needs at 12 food banks throughout Ohio.
“Three hundred thousand dollars in our world is a tremendous amount of money,” said Lisa Hamler-Fugitt, executive director of Second Harvest. She noted that every dollar raised generates four meals for Ohio’s hungry.
Strickland formed a nonprofit corporation to raise and spend money for his inauguration, as did fellow Democrats Attorney General Marc Dann, Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner and Treasurer Richard Cordray.
By law, the contributions do not have to be limited or disclosed, but the campaigns agreed to do so. The donations do not count against campaign contribution limits.
Brunner reported weeks ago that she raised and spent about $43,000 for her inauguration, including $5,000 contributions — the maximum she would allow — each from Limited Brands, Nationwide Insurance and Prime Engineering & Architecture. Her expenses also included $3,750 to charity.
Dann has reported raising $169,250 and spending $134,238, with the largest share going toward lodging, food and game tickets for family members and guests attending Dann’s inaugural festivities early this year.
Cordray received $114,450 from 38 contributors, including $5,000 apiece — also his maximum — from 15 donors. His list was dominated by banks and law firms, but also included $5,000 from Limited Brands and $2,500 from Pipefitters Local 120.
His biggest expenses were $52,437 for consulting service, $22,971 for food and room rental for the inaugural celebration, and $11,175 for “commemorative gifts.”
Link to article: http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/local/2007/04/05/give.ART_ART_04-05-07_E1_AV69UI6.html